What Rasmussen College does

Rasmussen University, founded in 1900 as Rasmussen Practical School of Business and rebranded from Rasmussen College to Rasmussen University in October 2020, is a private, career-focused higher education institution operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI), a NASDAQ-listed conglomerate. The institution delivers more than 60 certificate, diploma, associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs across eight schools — Business, Design, Education, Health Sciences, Human Services, Justice Studies, Nursing, and Technology — with nursing and allied-health programs representing the core commercial focus. Rasmussen operates 20+ physical campuses across six U.S. states (Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin) plus a nationwide online channel, and reported a 95.2% NCLEX-PN first-attempt pass rate for its Florida LPN graduates in 2024.

The core technology stack is being migrated from Blackboard to D2L Brightspace (pilot May 2026, full rollout thereafter), embedding AI-enabled tools including D2L Lumi for personalized study support, Creator+ for AI-assisted content creation, Performance+ for student-success analytics, and Lumi Feedback for educator workflows. Pedagogically distinct platforms include the trademarked Empowered Learning competency-based education model and Knowledge Credit, a prior-learning assessment system priced at $149 per attempt that has generated more than $5.2 million in student savings across 22,203 credits earned. The institution is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, holds ACEN accreditation for its Practical Nursing Diploma program at five campuses, and maintains state Board of Nursing approvals and Illinois Board of Higher Education authorization.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees on a per-quarter or per-course subscription basis, supplemented by ancillary streams including Knowledge Credit self-directed assessments ($149 each) and a Laptop Program providing pre-loaded devices to eligible enrollees from November 12, 2025 onward. Customer segments center on working adults and career changers, employer-partner workforces, and healthcare-workforce trainees, with GTM executed through admissions representatives, employer tuition-benefit alliances (e.g., Hilton Grand Vacations, Aspire Health Group), multi-channel content marketing, virtual career fairs co-hosted with sister APEI institution American Public University System, and a nationwide online channel. APEI reported $649 million in FY2025 consolidated revenue and $85.7 million in adjusted EBITDA; Rasmussen does not segment-disclose revenue.

Name

Rasmussen College

Legal name

American Public University System, Inc.

Website

https://rasmussen.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Rasmussen University is a career-focused private higher education institution and wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI), operating 20+ campuses across six U.S. states plus online, serving working adults with 60+ programs concentrated in nursing and allied-health professions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Career-focused Postsecondary Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Healthcare & Nursing Universities (Allied Health, RN-to-BSN, etc.) (EDAHALAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Nursing programs
• Online degree programs
• Career-focused education
• Healthcare training

Headquarters

HQ city

Altamonte Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices22 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Students pay tuition for degree and certificate programs. The institution offers various credential levels from certificates to doctoral degrees with per-quarter or per-course billing. Financial aid, grants, and employer tuition benefits are accepted.
2. Certification Exam Fees: The institution offers certification exam preparation programs and reimburses students for first-attempt application fees for up to three industry certifications including CompTIA, Microsoft, and Cisco exams.
3. Knowledge Credit Assessments: Self-directed assessments at $149 per attempt allow students to test out of courses, saving time and tuition while generating revenue for the institution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rasmussen University is a private career-focused higher education institution offering over 60 programs from certificates through doctoral degrees across eight schools: Business, Design, Education, Health Sciences, Human Services, Justice Studies, Nursing, and Technology. It delivers instruction through 20+ physical campuses in six U.S. states and fully online programs, with nursing and healthcare workforce training as a primary emphasis. The institution operates under proprietary Empowered Learning (competency-based education) and Knowledge Credit (prior learning assessment) frameworks supported by the D2L Brightspace learning management system.

Product overview

Rasmussen University is a career-focused higher education institution offering over 60 programs across eight schools (Business, Design, Education, Health Sciences, Human Services, Justice Studies, Nursing, and Technology). The university operates 20 physical campuses across six states plus online programs. Core academic offerings center on healthcare programs including nursing (Practical Nursing through DNP), radiologic technology, medical laboratory technician, physical therapist assistant, and surgical technologist. The institution uses D2L Brightspace as its learning management system featuring AI-powered tools (Lumi, Creator+, Performance+) for personalized learning. Additional platforms include Empowered Learning (competency-based education), Knowledge Credit (prior learning assessment), and a laptop distribution program. The university was founded in 1900, rebranded from Rasmussen College to Rasmussen University in October 2020, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Practical Nursing (LPN) Diploma Program Diploma program preparing students to become Licensed Practical Nurses and pass the NCLEX-PN exam. Offered in standard and weekend formats with ACEN accreditation at multiple campuses.
• Professional Nursing (ADN/RN) Program Associate's degree program in Professional Nursing preparing students for registered nursing licensure and the NCLEX-RN exam.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Four-year bachelor's degree in nursing for entry-level students seeking to become registered nurses.
• RN to BSN Bridge Program Online program for registered nurses to advance their education from associate's to bachelor's degree in nursing.
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Graduate-level nursing program with specializations including Nurse Practitioner tracks for advanced nursing roles.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Terminal doctoral degree in nursing practice for advanced practice nurses seeking the highest level of clinical expertise.
• Post-Graduate Nursing Certificate Post-graduate certificates for nurses seeking specialized credentials including Nurse Practitioner specializations.
• Radiologic Technology Associate's Degree Program Associate's degree program in radiologic technology that combines online and on-campus training to prepare students for the ARRT certification exam.
• Medical Laboratory Technician Program Associate's degree program preparing students for careers in clinical laboratory settings, typically completable in as few as 21 months.
• Physical Therapist Assistant Program Associate's degree program training students to work as physical therapist assistants in rehabilitation settings.
• Surgical Technologist Program Associate's degree program preparing students for careers as surgical technologists in operating room settings.
• Medical Assisting Diploma Program Diploma program training students for administrative and clinical medical assisting roles.
• Health Information Management Programs Bachelor's and Associate's degree programs in health information management with medical billing and coding certificate options.
• School of Technology Programs Programs in Computer Science, Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Information Technology, IT Management, Network Systems Administration, and Software Application Development at associate's and bachelor's degree levels, plus IT certificates. Prepares students for industry certifications including CompTIA, Microsoft, and Cisco.
• School of Business Programs Degrees in Accounting, Business Management, Finance, Healthcare Management, Human Resources and Organizational Leadership, Marketing, Supply Chain and Logistics Management, plus MBA and Master of Human Resources Management graduate degrees.
• School of Education Programs Early Childhood Education programs at bachelor's, associate's, diploma, and certificate levels, plus CDA Prep training.
• School of Human Services Programs Bachelor's and associate's degrees in human services.
• School of Justice Studies Programs Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, and Paralegal programs at associate's, bachelor's, and certificate levels.
• School of Design Programs Graphic Design programs at associate's and bachelor's degree levels.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95.2% NCLEX-PN first-attempt pass rate in Florida (120 out of 126 graduates in 2024)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability3 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• D2L (Desire 2 Learn)coreTechnology or Integration · 20 April 2026Rasmussen University selected D2L Brightspace to replace its existing Blackboard learning platform. Implementation begins after a May 2026 pilot with initial focus on nursing education. D2L will provide AI-powered tools including Lumi, Creator+, and Performance+ across Rasmussen's 20 campuses to deliver personalized, inclusive learning experiences and streamline administrative processes.
• Hilton Grand VacationsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 November 2025New corporate alliance providing tuition benefits and educational opportunities for Hilton Grand Vacations employees pursuing programs at Rasmussen University.
• American Public University SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Rasmussen University and American Public University System co-host nationwide virtual career fairs offering opportunities across industries. Both are wholly owned subsidiaries of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI).
• Aspire Health GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2024Corporate alliance partnership providing educational benefits for Aspire Health Group employees through Rasmussen University's employer tuition program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DeVry University: Established for-profit university with broad business, healthcare, and technology programs delivered online and on campus. Comparable career-focused positioning and adult-learner GTM, but with a wider program portfolio than Rasmussen.
• Grand Canyon University: Large for-profit university with extensive nursing, healthcare, education, and business programs including doctoral degrees. Comparable career-oriented Christian-affiliated positioning and heavy nursing emphasis.

Direct peers

• ECPI University: Private career-focused university with concentrated healthcare and technology programs and accelerated formats. Comparable emphasis on associate-to-bachelor pathways, certification exam prep, and employer-aligned curriculum.
• Capella University: Online-focused university with FlexPath competency-based pacing options and strong nursing, business, and IT programs. Comparable on adult-learner online delivery and competency-based progression models.
• Purdue University Global: Online university focused on adult learners with strong nursing, business, criminal justice, and IT programs. Comparable on career-oriented, non-residential delivery and competency-based progression.
• Herzing University: Private, career-focused university with multiple U.S. campuses and strong nursing, health sciences, and technology programs. Closely comparable on LPN-to-BSN laddering, accelerated formats, and employer-aligned curriculum.
• Western Governors University: Nonprofit, fully online, competency-based university with strong nursing, business, IT, and education programs. Direct comparison on Empowered Learning-style competency progression and adult-learner focus.
• American Public University System (APUS): Sister APEI subsidiary serving adult learners through fully online degree programs. Comparable online-first delivery model, working-adult segmentation, and reliance on tuition revenue and military/affiliated student channels.
• Hondros College of Nursing: Fellow wholly-owned APEI subsidiary focused exclusively on nursing education. Highly comparable in LPN/ADN program design, NCLEX-driven outcomes, and reliance on working-adult enrollment in Ohio and surrounding states.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Large online and campus university with career-focused programs and a strong adult-learner/transfer student pipeline. Comparable scale, online program portfolio, and employer partnership channel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rasmussen
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/RasmussenUniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/105138047510
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rasmussen-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/rasmussenuniversity

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rasmussen College